Expansion Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Mario Biondi could be singing the worse possible message in the world and you'd still feel all warm and cosy inside. One of the richest, soulful voices in the European jazz, it's easy to see why he's currently working with Incognito and appearing at the Albert Hall. The High Five Quintet complements his delivery well with a Pimptones style soft-jazz structure but plenty of rhythmic welly. For a little more house and a little less jazz, flip for Opolopo's remix. Weighty and club-ready but with Mario's full vocal still intact, remixes don't come much more complementary.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


One of the richest, soulful voices in the European jazz, Biondi regularly works with the likes of Incognito. The High Five Quintet complements his delivery well with a Pimptones style soft-jazz structure but plenty of rhythmic welly. For a little more house and a little less jazz, flip for Opolopo's remix. Weighty and club-ready but with Mario's full vocal still intact, it's yet another notch in Opolopo's award-worthy remix bedpost

Review: One of the richest, soulful voices in the European jazz, Biondi regularly works with the likes of Incognito. The High Five Quintet complements his delivery well with a Pimptones style soft-jazz structure but plenty of rhythmic welly. For a little more house and a little less jazz, flip for Opolopo's remix. Weighty and club-ready but with Mario's full vocal still intact, it's yet another notch in Opolopo's award-worthy remix bedpost

Review: Berkeley-born Cornell CC Carter returns with 'The Change,' which is the lead single from his upcoming album on Expansion. Initially making waves with his debut album Vindicated Soul in 2017, Carter has become a force in the UK soul scene with subsequent albums such as One Love, Absolutely, and Next Life. With a storied career that includes collaborations with The Isley Brothers and performances alongside James Brown, he has been a staple on Expansion's Soul Togetherness and Luxury Soul series, and graced the stage at the Luxury Soul Weekender in Blackpool. Here 'The Change' comes with 'Sometimes,' which is produced by Brian Carter and offers a nice counterpoint to the a-side.

Review: Paul Johnson - not to be confused with his Dance Mania namesake - is a British vocalist known for his work with '80s gospel group Paradise. A special numbered version of this record was released for Record Store Day this year, but if you missed out on that, or don't want any of the bells and whistles, here's the OG. And what soulful house artist could be better to remix such a track than Frankie Knuckles, who does so with a classic cut of heavenly house music like only he can, while the Soul Talk mix is down beat and sultry, oozing the same type of emotion you'd hear from Marvin Gaye. Meanwhile Dego & Kaidi open up the B-side with a stripped back, but still very musical version of "Better Than This", while Osiki Ojo really works the oohs and ahhs in their mix. Only happiness and love on this record.

Review: US newbie Gregory Porter was man of the year as far as nu-soul and funk goes and championed by the likes of Gilles Peterson,Patrick Forge & Nik Weston to name but a few. This record had an incredible amount of attention around it even before its release and to be honest, it ain't no surprise! It's just a future classic, end of discussion - it takes Detroit's fine soul and funk heritage onto a new level, showing us that classics are still very much in the making. Porter's own voice is majestic and prophetic as he talks about "Motor City burnin'" and who then goes on to deliver his powerful and emotional words. There's even a slightly "housier" remix by Opolopo, giving us the chance to also enjoy this mighty record at the centre of late-night set...this is certified Theo Parrish material right here!

Review: When Gregory Porter first released "1960 What?" back in 2012, he'd yet to become the soul superstar we know and love today. The single was released in limited numbers first time round and, thanks to his elevation to star status, has become an in-demand collector's item - hence this timely reissue. It's every bit as classic-sounding as the majority of Porter's work, with the main man providing an impassioned delivery of conscious lyrics over a wonderful soul-jazz backing track. Serious contemporary dancefloor thrills are provided by Opolopo's superb flipside revision, which re-imagines the track as a bass-heavy chunk of jazz-house brilliance that rivals St Germain's "Rose Rouge" in its ability to send dancefloors wild.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


US newbie Gregory Porter was man of the year as far as nu-soul and funk goes and championed by the likes of Gilles Peterson,Patrick Forge & Nik Weston to name but a few. This record had an incredible amount of attention around it even before its release and to be honest, it ain't no surprise! It's just a future classic, end of discussion - it takes Detroit's fine soul and funk heritage onto a new level, showing us that classics are still very much in the making. Porter's own voice is majestic and prophetic as he talks about "Motor City burnin'" and who then goes on to deliver his powerful and emotional words. There's even a slightly "housier" remix by Opolopo, giving us the chance to also enjoy this mighty record at the centre of late-night set...this is certified Theo Parrish material right here!